The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has expressed concern over the growing cases of building collapses and the rapid deterioration of roads in Ghana, despite significant investments in infrastructure projects across the country.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Church of Pentecost programme aimed at promoting integrity among professionals in the built environment, the President of the GIA, Tony Asare, blamed the situation on weak regulation and poor oversight within the construction sector.
He explained that Ghana currently lacks a strong, independent regulatory body to properly monitor and enforce standards for contractors and engineers working on public and private projects.
“Contractors are not properly regulated. We do not have a body that regulates the performance and quality of work that contractors deliver,” he said.
He further noted that while contractors are awarded projects across different ministries, there is often no effective system to ensure accountability when standards are not met.
According to him, this gap in supervision has contributed significantly to the poor quality of some infrastructure projects, including roads and buildings that deteriorate shortly after completion.
Tony Asare stressed that if Ghana is to achieve durable infrastructure, there must be stronger technical oversight and stricter enforcement of construction standards.
He also cited major national projects such as the Accra–Kumasi Expressway, expressing optimism about such developments but questioning whether Ghana’s weak maintenance culture could affect their long-term success.
The GIA President further called for policies requiring foreign contractors to collaborate with local professionals, saying such partnerships would help ensure that projects are adapted to Ghana’s environmental conditions while also building local capacity.
Beyond infrastructure, he urged increased investment in mentorship and internship opportunities for young professionals, as well as the promotion of ethical values such as honesty and accountability within the sector.
The remarks were made during a programme themed “Workers Guild! My Work, My Divine Assignment,” organised by the Church of Pentecost, which brought together professionals to discuss integrity and national development.
